24 Fancy Date Night Dinners That Are Actually Easy

    Time to wine and dine.

    Hannah Loewentheil
    by Hannah Loewentheil

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Hey there, hopeless romantic. We've got an idea for you: This Valentine's Day, forego the over-priced dinner reservation and cook dinner at home. Here are a bunch of impressive yet simple recipes guaranteed to impress your boo.

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    1. Steak Au Poivre

    Steak in pepper sauce with veggies on the side.
    Tasty / Via tasty.co

    A delicious sauce can completely transform a simple meal into something extra special. Take, for example, this French pepper sauce made with cream, Cognac, Dijon, and black pepper.

    Recipe: Steak Au Poivre

    2. Cast Iron Paella

    Cast Iron seafood paella with shrimp and mussels.
    Tasty / Via tasty.co

    Arborio rice is cooked with chicken stock, veggies, canned diced tomatoes, chorizo, and seafood (pick anything from shrimp or mussels to scallops and clams). Best of all, the whole thing comes together in a single cast iron skillet.

    Recipe: Cast Iron Paella

    3. Creamy Chicken Piccata

    Creamy chicken piccata with capers and pasta.
    Tasty / Via tasty.co

    Turns out this restaurant-quality chicken dish is much easier to make from scratch than you might imagine. It's all about the rich pan sauce made with cream, garlic, white wine, lemon juice, and chicken stock.

    Recipe: Creamy Chicken Piccata

    4. Butternut Squash Risotto

    Choosing Chia / Via choosingchia.com

    Contrary to public opinion, risotto isn't a dish exclusive to restaurant menus. You can actually make this creamy rice dish right in your own kitchen, and butternut squash gives it a seasonal flare. Get the recipe here.

    5. Salmon With Avocado Salsa

    Dinner at the Zoo / Via dinneratthezoo.com

    Even if you're terrified of cooking fish, you'll have a hard time messing up this perfectly tender salmon topped with a creamy, tangy avocado, onion, and bell pepper salsa. Get the recipe here.

    6. Seafood Fra Diavolo

    Host The Toast / Via hostthetoast.com

    Nothing says "I love you" like a big bowl of spaghetti in spicy tomato sauce, loaded with fancy fruits de mer. Get the recipe.

    Little Spice Jar / Via littlespicejar.com

    Spaghetti and meatballs? Been there done that. Shake things up next date night by serving homemade meatballs over creamy polenta. Get the recipe.

    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    Pizza can be totally sophisticated, especially when it's topped with golden squash, tangy apple, and creamy-as-heck burrata cheese. Get the recipe here.

    9. Grilled Lamb Chops

    Real Food By Dad / Via realfoodbydad.com

    How to win Valentine's day in one simple step: Put a plate of these juicy lamb chops on the table. Get the recipe here.

    10. Sriracha-Glazed Seared Scallops

    Peas and Crayons / Via peasandcrayons.com

    It doesn't get much better than these simple seared scallops. They're tender and chewy on the inside, but on the outside they're slightly crispy with a spicy Sriracha glaze. Get the recipe here.

    Faith Food Fitness / Via foodfaithfitness.com

    As a rule of thumb, from this point forward all chicken breast should be filled with decadent goat cheese. Get the recipe here.

    12. Butternut Squash, Spinach, and Goat Cheese Pasta

    Camille Styles / Via camillestyles.com

    Nothing wins over the heart like a bowl of delicious pasta. Get the recipe here.

    Snixy Kitchen / Via snixykitchen.com

    For a meatless meal that still feels totally impressive, try this whole roasted cauliflower. It's coated in a mixture of pistachio crumbs, garlic powder, and lemon, then cooked until super tender and drizzled in creamy sauce. Get the recipe here.

    14. Miso Sesame Tuna Rice Bowls

    The Girl On Bloor / Via thegirlonbloor.com

    Light and healthyish but full of flavor, these seared ahi tuna bowls are worthy of a special occasion. Get the recipe here.

    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    Looking for an indulgent date night meal? Steak + mushroom sauce = pure bliss. Get the recipe here.

    Dishing Out Health / Via dishingouthealth.com

    Serve these as an appetizer or a main dish with grilled vegetables, cauliflower rice, or even a simple salad. Get the recipe here.

    17. Shrimp Scampi

    The Blond Cook / Via theblondcook.com

    This garlicy, zesty shrimp scampi only takes about twenty minutes to whip up, but it'll taste as if you were cooking all afternoon. Get the recipe here.

    18. Spinach Stuffed Salmon in Garlic Butter

    Cafe Delites / Via cafedelites.com

    A step above your basic salmon, this fish is pan-seared so it's caramelized on the outside, but on the inside it's loaded with a creamy spinach filling. Get the recipe here.

    19. Lobster Mac 'n' Cheese

    Amy In The Kitchen / Via amyinthekitchen.com

    Just when you thought there was nothing on earth more delicious than gooey, cheesy mac 'n' cheese, lobster steps into the picture. Get the recipe here.

    20. 15-Minute Pad Thai

    Feasting At Home / Via feastingathome.com

    This recipe calls for chicken and tofu but you can get creative and make it with whatever protein and vegetables you like best. Get the recipe here.

    21. Baked Eggplant Parmesan

    The Seasoned Mom / Via theseasonedmom.com

    This recipe calls for just 15 minutes of hands-on prep. Then, just pop it in the oven and wait for a delicious dinner to emerge. Get the recipe here.

    Plays Well With Butter / Via playswellwithbutter.com

    Find yourself a Valentine who cooks a mean bowl of pasta. Get the recipe here.

    23. Veal Milanese

    Cooking With Cocktail Rings / Via cookingwithcocktailrings.com

    Serve this crispy, thinly pounded veal cutlet with a simple arugula and tomato salad for a restaurant-quality meal. Get the recipe here.

    24. Spicy Sausage and Kale Lasagna

    How Sweet Eats / Via howsweeteats.com

    Layers of lasagna noodles are topped with hot Italian sausage, marinara sauce, fluffy ricotta cheese, and a little bit of kale for good measure. Get the recipe here.

    For even more delicious recipes and meal ideas, download the award-winning Tasty app for iOS and Android! 🍳